RMV fee hikes grind motorists' gears

Howard Smith of Worcester looks through paperwork as he comments on the RMV fee hike Wednesday outside the Registry of Motor Vehicles in Worcester.

A lot of people aren't too happy about it, but effective July 1, Registry of Motor Vehicle fees for road tests, passenger registration and vehicle inspections will increase.

The causes for unhappiness: The biggest increase is the cost for road tests, which will go up $15, from $20 to $35. Registration for a passenger vehicle will cost $30 for one year, up from $25, and $60 for two years, up from $50. Annual vehicle inspections will increase to $35 from $29.

The increases are the result of a transportation finance law the Legislature adopted last year that requires the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to generate more revenue to fund future budgetary needs.

MassDOT spokesman Michael Verseckes said the fee changes will allow the agency to close a projected $55 million budget gap in fiscal 2015, which begins July 1, make customer improvements and invest in the state's transportation system. The increases are expected to generate approximately $55 million to $63 million next year, he said.

He said the registration fee was last changed in 2009, inspection fees in 1999, and it has been more than 10 years since road test fees were changed.

Several people at the RMV on Main Street in Worcester Wednesday said the fees are already too high. And many said they're not surprised that fees are going up more.

"That's ridiculous. That's why I want to move out of here. This is insane," said Bob Dufresne of Worcester, who was at the RMV to turn in a license plate.

Howard Smith of Worcester said the state should find some other way to close the budget gap. He said he was stunned when he was charged $278.44 for plates and registration for his motorcycle.

"Things like this drive people out of the state. There's no wonder they call us Taxachussetts," he said. "It's just not a good thing."

David Gardaire of Northboro said he was not expecting to pay $120 to get a license plate and registration for his camping trailer.

"I hadn't done that for a long time. I was surprised," he said. "I don't have much choice on whether I can afford it or not."

Justin Bergeron of Leominster, who brought his father to the RMV to get a license, seemed just as upset about the time it takes to get service at the RMV as he was about the impending fee increases.

"Every year they get more money out of you," he said as he waited in the parking lot. "You come here and you have to stand in line for hours and hours and hours because and they're shutting down more and more registries."

Mr. Verseckes said in most cases, people can conduct their RMV business online at www.massrmv.com and cut down on branch wait times.

Contact Elaine Thompson at ethompson@telegram.com. Follow her on Twitter @EThompsonTG